Ischemic optic neuropathy and thrombophilic conditions in the practice of a doctor

The purpose of the study is to demonstrate a clinical case of acute anterior ischemic neuropathy (OIN) with an outcome in partial atrophy of the optic nerve of the right eye, which developed in a comorbid patient with hypertension of the III st., NAFLD: steatosis and obesity of the 3rd st. (BMI 55) due to thrombophilia (FII G/A, ITGA2 C/T).Цель исследования – демонстрация клинического случая острой передней ишемической нейропатии (ОИН) с исходом в частичную атрофию зрительного нерва правого глаза, которая развилась у коморбидного больного с гипертонической болезнью III ст., НАЖБП: стеатозом и ожирением 3 ст. (ИМТ 55) за счет тромбофилии (FII G/A, ITGA2 C/T)

Expression of the NUP153 and YWHAB genes from their canonical promoters and alternative promoters of the LINE-1 retrotransposon in the placenta of the first trimester of pregnancy

The placenta has a unique hypomethylated genome. Due to this feature of the placenta, there is a potential possibility of using regulatory elements derived from retroviruses and retrotransposons, which are suppressed by DNA methylation in the adult body. In addition, there is an abnormal increase in the level of methylation of the LINE-1 retrotransposon in the chorionic trophoblast in spontaneous abortions with both normal karyotype and aneuploidy on different chromosomes, which may be associated with impaired gene transcription using LINE-1 regulatory elements. To date, 988 genes that can be expressed from alternative LINE-1 promoters have been identified. Using the STRING tool, genes (NUP153 and YWHAB) were selected, the products of which have significant functional relationships with proteins highly expressed in the placenta and involved in trophoblast differentiation. This study aimed to analyze the expression of the NUP153 and YWHAB genes, highly active in the placenta, from canonical and alternative LINE-1 promoters in the germinal part of the placenta of spontaneous and induced abortions. Gene expression analysis was performed using real-time PCR in chorionic villi and extraembryonic mesoderm of induced abortions (n = 10), adult lymphocytes (n = 10), spontaneous abortions with normal karyotype (n = 10), and with the most frequent aneuploidies in the first trimester of pregnancy (trisomy 16 (n = 8) and monosomy X (n = 6)). The LINE-1 methylation index was assessed in the chorionic villi of spontaneous abortions using targeted bisulfite massive parallel sequencing. The level of expression of both genes from canonical promoters was higher in blood lymphocytes than in placental tissues (p < 0.05). However, the expression level of the NUP153 gene from the alternative LINE-1 promoter was 17 times higher in chorionic villi and 23 times higher in extraembryonic mesoderm than in lymphocytes (p < 0.05). The expression level of NUP153 and YWHAB from canonical promoters was higher in the group of spontaneous abortions with monosomy X compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). The LINE-1 methylation index negatively correlated with the level of gene expression from both canonical (NUP153 – R = –0.59, YWHAB – R = –0.52, p < 0.05) and alternative LINE-1 promoters (NUP153 – R = –0.46, YWHAB – R = –0.66, p < 0.05). Thus, the observed increase in the LINE-1 methylation index in the placenta of spontaneous abortions is associated with the level of expression of the NUP153 and YWHAB genes not only from alternative but also from canonical promoters, which can subsequently lead to negative consequences for normal embryogenesis

Six pelagic seabird species of the North Atlantic engage in a fly-and-forage strategy during their migratory movements

Funding Information: We thank all the fieldworkers for their hard work collecting data. Funding for this study was provided by the Norwegian Ministry for Climate and the Environment, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association along with 8 oil companies through the SEATRACK project (www. seapop. no/ en/ seatrack). Fieldwork in Norwegian colonies (incl. Svalbard and Jan Mayen) was supported by the SEAPOP program (www.seapop.no, grant no. 192141). The French Polar Institute (IPEV project 330 to O.C.) supported field operation for Kongsfjord kittiwakes. The work on the Isle of May was also supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (Award NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCaPE programme delivering National Capability). We thank Maria Bogdanova for field support and data processing. Finally, we thank 3 anonymous reviewers for their help improving the first version of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Use of nanomaterials in the pretreatment of water samples for environmental analysis

The challenge of providing clean drinking water is of enormous relevance in today’s human civilization, being essential for human consumption, but also for agriculture, livestock and several industrial applications. In addition to remediation strategies, the accurate monitoring of pollutants in water sup-plies, which most of the times are present at low concentrations, is a critical challenge. The usual low concentration of target analytes, the presence of in-terferents and the incompatibility of the sample matrix with instrumental techniques and detectors are the main reasons that renders sample preparation a relevant part of environmental monitoring strategies. The discovery and ap-plication of new nanomaterials allowed improvements on the pretreatment of water samples, with benefits in terms of speed, reliability and sensitivity in analysis. In this chapter, the use of nanomaterials in solid-phase extraction (SPE) protocols for water samples pretreatment for environmental monitoring is addressed. The most used nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials, silica-based nanoparticles and nanocomposites are described, and their applications and advantages overviewed. Main gaps are identified and new directions on the field are suggested.publishe

Clinical features of post-COVID-19 period. Results of the international register “Dynamic analysis of comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 survivors (AKTIV SARS-CoV-2)”. Data from 6-month follow-up

Aim. To study the clinical course specifics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and comorbid conditions in COVID-19 survivors 3, 6, 12 months after recovery in the Eurasian region according to the AKTIV register. Material and methods.The AKTIV register was created at the initiative of the Eurasian Association of Therapists. The AKTIV register is divided into 2 parts: AKTIV 1 and AKTIV 2. The AKTIV 1 register currently includes 6300 patients, while in AKTIV 2 — 2770. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 receiving in- and outpatient treatment have been anonymously included on the registry. The following 7 countries participated in the register: Russian Federation, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Uzbekistan. This closed multicenter register with two nonoverlapping branches (in- and outpatient branch) provides 6 visits: 3 in-person visits during the acute period and 3 telephone calls after 3, 6, 12 months. Subject recruitment lasted from June 29, 2020 to October 29, 2020. Register will end on October 29, 2022. A total of 9 fragmentary analyzes of the registry data are planned. This fragment of the study presents the results of the post-hospitalization period in COVID-19 survivors after 3 and 6 months. Results. According to the AKTIV register, patients after COVID-19 are characterized by long-term persistent symptoms and frequent seeking for unscheduled medical care, including rehospitalizations. The most common causes of unplanned medical care are uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or decompensated type 2 diabetes (T2D). During 3- and 6-month follow-up after hospitalization, 5,6% and 6,4% of patients were diagnosed with other diseases, which were more often presented by HTN, T2D, and CAD. The mortality rate of patients in the post-hospitalization period was 1,9% in the first 3 months and 0,2% for 4-6 months. The highest mortality rate was observed in the first 3 months in the group of patients with class II-IV heart failure, as well as in patients with cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In the pattern of death causes in the post-hospitalization period, following cardiovascular causes prevailed (31,8%): acute coronary syndrome, stroke, acute heart failure. Conclusion. According to the AKTIV register, the health status of patients after COVID-19 in a serious challenge for healthcare system, which requires planning adequate health system capacity to provide care to patients with COVID-19 in both acute and post-hospitalization period

Determinants of innovations in small and medium enterprises: A European and international experience

This paper focuses on the determinants of innovations in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs play a decisive role in economic transformation by creating additional workplaces and thence levelling the unemployment, contributing to the local budgets, or promoting innovations and economic growth. Moreover, they play a key role in the integrated development of formal and informal entrepreneurial institutions. Thence, innovations represent an important factor for fostering the growth and development of SMEs and are likely to contribute to their overall success and economic profits. In this paper, we use the data from the selected European Union (EU) countries and employ the empirical model envisaged for singling out the factors that influence innovation in SMEs. We use econometric modelling with several variables in order to determine relationships and draw the causalities. Our results demonstrate that higher competition, investment into technologies and optimisation tend to foster innovations, while obsolete equipment and personnel, as well as financial and administrative barriers tend to present obstacles for innovations. We also found that it is important for every SME to concentrate on its inner structure, management, skills and ambitions which are required for formulating a clear innovative strategy on a path to successful growth and success on the market. © 2019

Geotrlchous stomatitis in the dental practice

A literature review was conducted on rare mycoses of the oral mucosa in patients with immunode^ciency conditions and hematologic malignant diseases, in particular, etiopathogenetic aspects, clinical features and an approach to the treatment of rare oral mycosis - geotrlchous stomatitis were examined

ENZYME PROFILE OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH THE RENAL CELL CARCINOMA BEFORE AND AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT

The aim of the study was to investigate activities of NAD- and NADP-dependent dehydrogenases in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at the terms before surgery and 14 and 30 days after surgical treatment. The patients at the age of 45-55 years with locally advanced RCC were examined before surgical treatment, 14 and 30 days after surgery. The control group consisted of healthy donors of the same age range. Activity of NAD- and NADP-dependent dehydrogenases was determined by bioluminescence method using bienzyme complex isolated from luminescent bacteria. The enzyme profile changes of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the patients with RCC in pre- and postoperative period have been revealed. The lymphocyte metabolism in patients with RCC at the pre-operative period was characterized by decreased activity of pentose phosphate cycle, and glutathione-dependent antioxidant system. The changes in activity of these processes may lead to decreased levels of macromolecular synthetic reactions in the lymphocytes and activation of peroxide reactions. We have registered a decreased activity of lactate dehydrogenase anaerobic reaction which characterizes inhibition of the terminal anaerobic glycolysis reactions. The levels of metabolic reactions in blood lymphocytes from the RCC patients in preoperative period determining the intensity of aerobic respiration corresponded to control values, along with an increased intensity of the NAD-dependent substrates outflow from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to the amino acid exchange reaction. In the postoperative period in patients with RCC in blood lymphocytes the activity of the terminal reactions of the anaerobic glycolysis hold on, the aerobic lactate dehydrogenase reaction moderately activated. During the entire postoperative period, an increased outflow of NAD-dependent substrates from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to the amino acid exchange reaction is registered in blood lymphocytes of RCC patients. Nevertheless, there is a significant increase in the intensity of the Krebs cycle terminal reactions, which determines an increase in aerobic respiration activity being energetically more beneficial to the cells. At the same time, «impoverishment» of the pentose phosphate cycle metabolites in the lymphocytes of the patients with RCC, due to similar redistribution of the substrate flows, leads to decreased plastic processes in cells. Even 30 days after surgical treatment, a decrease remains in glutathione-dependent antioxidant protection of the cells. Therefore, the patients with RCC need correction of metabolic processes in the immune cells during postoperative period. This fact should be taken into account by developing rehabilitation programs in this category of the patients